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Safari Explorer - 36 guests - 145 ft |
8 days/7 nights |
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THE LAST FRONTIER: In Southeast Alaska, we travel through the largest national forest in the United States where grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and wolves make their home. On our way to view Alaska's massive glaciers, we enter some of the world's deepest fjords. In the still of the evening, we watch bears ambling along wild shorelines. And everywhere in the swirling currents below, the world's largest mammals, the great whales, forage in bountiful waters along the sheltered coastline. We meet Alaska and its wildlife at eye level.
The Safari Explorer's seven-night Alaska itinerary, Voyagers' Glacier Country, takes passengers roundtrip to and from Juneau, visiting Funter Bay, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitkoh Bay, Icy Strait, Frederick Sound, Admiralty Island, Saginaw Bay, Brothers Islands, Petersburg, Tongass National Forest, Gambier Bay, Ford's Terror, and Endicott Arm to view Dawes Glacier.
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Day 1 Arrive in Juneau, Embarkation
After meeting fellow guests and your Expedition Leader at the Goldbelt Hotel on Juneau’s waterfront, we’ll drive out to lovely Mendenhall Glacier, which flows down from the Juneau Icecap in the high mountains north of town. Mendenhall is fronted by an iceberg-dotted lake. Later board the Safari Explorer. We’ll anchor overnight at Funter Bay.
Day 2 Icy Strait and Elfin Cove
Crossing Icy Strait we'll search for the tell-tale blow of the humpback whale as we cruise today, and later, all the charm of Alaska will greet us as we pull into tiny Elfin Cove, a remote fishing village tucked into Chichagof Island. We'll step ashore to stretch our legs and meet the people who choose to live their lives in this wilderness of forests and islands. This evening we'll anchor in a remote bay and lower the kayaks and skiff, keeping our eyes open for sea otters and bears nearby. Enjoy another delectable dinner onboard and relax in the hot tub before calling it a day.
Days 3-4 Glacier Bay Natrional Park
Over the two day in the park we’ll travel nearly 60 miles cruising up-bay to Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers, which frequently calve huge icebergs into the bay. If conditions permit, we'll lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. We'll enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling our kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. And what will we find? Here in the bay there are puffins and sea lions, mountain goats and bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than any place on Earth. Glacier Bay is at its best when explored by small groups on a nimble yacht over the course of two days to hike and kayak inside the bay and wilderness areas. See Glacier Bay Map.
Day 5 Frederick Sound and Sea Lions
Today we’ll cruise around wilderness Admiralty Island to more prime humpback-viewing waters in Frederick Sound. We’ll take time for skiff operations and sea kayaking in Saginaw Bay, and cruise up-close to a sea lion colony at the Brothers Islands. Tonight we'll anchor in a remote and picturesque bay.
Day 6 Admiralty Island — Bears
We’ll tuck into Gambier Bay, a large, island-speckled body of water on the south coast of Admiralty Island National Monument. We’ll drop the kayaks and launch the skiff for up-close exploration of this cool forested bay. Never logged, the thick evergreen forest crowds right down to the gravel beaches. Here is an outstanding opportunity to spot the huge brown – or grizzly – bears for which Admiralty Island is famous. At low tide they’re right down on the beaches, seeking a shellfish supper. Once again under way, we’ll watch for humpback whales before anchoring at Wood Spit for more exploration by kayak and skiff.
Day 7 Ford’s Terror and Endicott Arm
Cliff-walled fjords sliced into the mountainous mainland are on tap today as we tuck into an area widely acclaimed as the most beautiful in all of Alaska. Snow gleams on mountaintops high overhead, as bears amble on the shoreline and mountain goats cling to impossibly precarious perches. Seemingly every few hundred yards another sparkling waterfall tumbles down the cliffs. Enjoy a skiff ride at Ford’s Terror, named after an early mariner who was somewhat taken aback when a waterfall appeared at the turn of the tide where none had been visible at high tide. We’ll anchor overnight at Taku Harbor to enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner in an utterly lovely setting
Day 8 Disembark in Juneau
Transfer to the airport or hotel.
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Our flagship yacht, the Safari Explorer, offers Commodore Suites featuring a separate sitting area and a sliding glass door overlooking a small balcony. The Safari Explorer also offers an overall spa influence with complimentary massages from an onboard masseuse, yoga classes and a sauna. All of our yachts feature an on-deck whirlpool spa.
American Safari's newest 36-passenger yacht (manned by a crew of 16) Safari Explorer offers guests to the Inside Passage a luxury yacht with same personalized care and up close encounters as American Safari's smaller yachts. Experienced naturalists will take you up close to glaciers, bears, whales and remote forests island. The Safari Explorer
Here are the stateroom categories aboard the Safari Explorer:
• Commodore Suites (2)—king or twin beds, separate sitting area, sliding glass door overlooking a small balcony, bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower
• Admiral Staterooms (4)—king or twin beds, windowed door or view window, bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower
• Captain Staterooms (2)—king or twin beds, view window, windowed door, bath with shower
• Mariner Staterooms (9)—queen or twin beds, view window, windowed door, bath with shower
• Single Stateroom (1)—single bed, view window, windowed door, bath with shower (pullman berth available)
* Note: Both Commodore Suites and two Admiral Staterooms are available as triple accommodations.
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THE CREW
All of the American Safari team share a love for yacht sailing. The crew has a unique background and range of experiences. Guests from around the world consistently give top ratings to our crew. Each season we hear one recurring sentiment from our guests, and that is their surprise at how "marvelous" their crew was.
What is more difficult to express is what you will gain from interacting with our staff and our yacht crew. Your Captain, chef, stewards, expedition leader and engineer are all individually selected not only for their outstanding qualifications, customer service and safety skills, but for their genuinely welcoming and enthusiastic personalities. American Safari Cruises' office staff and yacht crew make it their utmost priority to provide you an enjoyable cruise vacation with cherished lifetime memories.
Welcome Aboard!
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All 2009 dates include 2 days of in-depth exploration of Glacier Bay National Park with a park Naturalist.
Any stateroom (except single) may be sold as a single for 175% of double occupancy rate.
Call Destination Northwest for the most current special offers and incentives: 866-232-0454
208-928-6226 * email info@DestinationNorthwest.net |
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Inquire with DNW for specials or seasonal promotions. |
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DESTINATION NORTHWEST |
GUEST PROGRAM |
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Book through Destination Northwest
and receive a special guest amenity. |
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Northwest Art - $250 Value |
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- CHECK AVAILABILITY - |
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